Pashley Roadster Sovereign 26 has arrived!

By josef|December 2, 2010

Our shop’s first Roadster 26 from Pashley has arrived in the shop today. The finish of the bike is, of course, of the highest order. The ride is elegant and smooth. The draw with the Roadster 26 over its 28-inch brothers (the regular Roadster) is its relatively smaller size.

The Roadster 26 is made for riders with a 27 to 31″ inseam. So, for those of you short in the leg, but long on style, come take one for a ride at our shop.

2 Comments

“Roller brakes” refer to the Shimano product. I’m almost certain this bike has Sturmey-Archer drum brakes. These are also hub brakes with similar function to roller brakes, but use brake pads pressing out against the inside of the hub. In contrast, the Shimano brakes use rollers agains the side of the brake, which is a separate part that attaches to the side of Shimano hubs designed for it.

Many people thing the Sturmey-Archer drum brakes are better, because they lack the modulator built into the front hub by Shimano (which makes the brake give way, to prevent locking up the front wheel, but reduces performance), and because they are easier to detach for wheel removal.

Joseph, many thanks for your insightful comments and for your editorial savvy! I always get the two technical terms “roller brakes” and “drum brakes” mixed up – though they are distinctly different mechanisms. We service both varieties of hub here at the shop. Your correction has been noted above.